Trips & Adventures – 30 January 2020

The BBC has suspended plans to wind down its Red Button text services. Its shutdown was due to start today (30 January), but the BBC has called a halt to the closure and TV sets will continue to carry text services – keeping alive a tradition started by the launch of Ceefax 45 years ago. Walter from Out In The City was relieved to hear the news and was heard to say: “If things don’t change, they will stay as they are”.

Today members of Out In The City travelled to Irlam Railway Station which has been restored to its former glory. After the opening of the railway between Manchester and Liverpool in 1873, Irlam required a station. A magnificent red brick ticket office was designed to serve the passengers.

In 1894, to accommodate the newly built Manchester Ship Canal, the line had to be raised to provide clearance for ships. Elevating the platform, the original station was demolished and the present ticket office was built on the other side of the tracks.

After years of welcoming passengers the station was closed in the 1970s and was left to crumble. The once derelict building has now been lovingly restored. Local residents have formed the Friends of IRlam STation to improve the area and develop a hive of community activity.

We had lunch hosted by Jo and her staff in the railway cafe. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the food was really excellent and the cakes amazing.

Patrick also gave a very informative talk about the history of the station and Jo told us some historic local information about Irlam and Cadishead, an area that produced goods such as candles, basketwork and steel.

For more photos please see here